Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence

A short history

The basilica was begun for the Franciscans in 1294, its design credited to Arnolfo di Cambio, architect of the cathedral and Palazzo Vecchio. It's the largest Franciscan church in the world: a vast, light hall under a painted timber roof, with slender columns and stained glass, where wealthy families built chapels and commissioned the best painters.

The marble Gothic Revival façade in white, green and pink came only in 1863. A statue of Dante stands to the left of the entrance, and on the square in front Florentines have played their historic football, calcio storico, since the 16th century.

The Temple of Italian Glories

Santa Croce holds monuments to Italy's most famous figures, earning its nickname. To the right of the entrance is Michelangelo's tomb by Vasari, with allegories of painting, sculpture and architecture; beyond are monuments to Machiavelli, the composer Rossini and a cenotaph to Dante, with Galileo's tomb opposite. Each is a work of art of its era, and it was here, Stendhal wrote, that he felt dizzy from so much beauty — giving us "Stendhal syndrome".

Giotto and the Pazzi Chapel

To the right of the high altar, the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels were painted by Giotto in the early 14th century with the lives of St Francis and St John the Baptist — landmark frescoes in which real people show real feeling.

The cloister holds Filippo Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel, an early Renaissance masterpiece: a bright square hall under a dome, grey stone arches on white walls and glazed terracotta apostle roundels by Luca della Robbia. The Opera di Santa Croce museum nearby holds Cimabue's great Crucifix.

Piazza Santa Croce

The long square in front has hosted tournaments, festivals and sermons since the Middle Ages, and since the 16th century calcio storico, Florence's rough historic football. Matches between the four city quarters take place every June, with the final on 24 June, St John's Day, when the square is covered in sand and lined with stands. The rest of the year it's a lively spot with cafés, leather shops and street musicians, and the Palazzo dell'Antella's façade is covered in 17th-century frescoes.

What to see

• Giotto's frescoes — the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels.
• Michelangelo's tomb — by Vasari.
• Galileo, Machiavelli, Rossini — and Dante's cenotaph.
• Pazzi Chapel — Brunelleschi, in the cloister.
• Cimabue's Crucifix — in the museum.
• Piazza Santa Croce — Dante's statue and frescoed houses.

Is Santa Croce worth it?

Yes — one of Italy's most beautiful and significant churches, with Giotto's frescoes, monuments to great Italians and Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel under one roof. It's less crowded than the cathedral and the ticket is modest. Afterwards, sit in a café on the square or visit the leather school.

Florence's churches: compare and choose

Churches and basilicas in Florence rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.

Nearby and on the way

40

Bargello

Florence, Italy

1 h 15 min · Paid · 8 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Bargello

45

Vasari Corridor

Florence, Italy

1 h · Paid, timed entry · 9 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Vasari Corridor

52

Palazzo Vecchio

Florence, Italy

1 h 30 min · Courtyard free, museum paid · 9 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Palazzo Vecchio

37

Museo Galileo

Florence, Italy

1 h 15 min · Paid · 9 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Museo Galileo

How to do it right

• Giotto is right of the altar.
• The Pazzi Chapel is in the cloister.
• Cover shoulders and knees.
• The leather school is next door.

Questions